
Snapchat Adds New Features to Help Parents Keep Kids Safe
By Movieguide® Contributor
Snapchat just launched a new feature that will make it easier for parents to keep track of their kids.
The Verge reported that the photo-sharing app has refined its “real-time location sharing feature” to focus more heavily on parents.
“Parents will soon see an option in the Family Center to request their teen’s locations and vice versa,” the outlet explained. “They’ll also be able to more easily view who else their child is sharing their location with, just like they can for other privacy settings.”
There will also be a feature that sets up travel alerts “that notify family members when loved ones have arrived at or left from three designated locations, such as home or school.”
Snapchat has worked on improving its child-safety regulations recently, including a warning system for kids who try to add a stranger to their Snapchat.
READ MORE: SNAPCHAT IMPROVES CHILD PROTECTION AND SAFETY TERMS
Snapchat added that they are even enhancing visibility settings, meaning parents will be able to view their child’s privacy and safety settings.
“This will allow parents to see which friends their teen shares their location with on Snap Map, helping families have informed conversations about what sharing choices work best for them,” a statement from Snapchat reads.
Engadget noted that this new feature “could help address some criticism the company has faced about the role its app’s location sharing abilities has played in crucial safety issues,” adding that the company has been accused of enabling teens to connect with potential predators.
“In its latest update, Snap notes that it bars all users from sharing their location info with users who aren’t already their friends,” Engadget continued. “And the company says it plans to push additional reminders to users about their Snap Map settings ‘prompting them to be extra thoughtful about their’ choices.”
READ MORE: LAWSUIT AGAINST SNAPCHAT FOR ENABLING DRUG DEALERS MOVES FORWARD